Lock



NDec. 21 1926.

E. M. BENHAM ET AL LOCK 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed June l2, 1926 noautom- Dec. 21 1926.

E. M. BENHAM ET A1.

LOCK

Filed June 412, 192e 2 Sheets-Sheet /2 CIT Patented Bec. Z1, 1926.

Uiiltl'E STATES PATENT OFFICE..Y

EDGAR M. BENHAM, OF NOREV/"OOD, AND GEORGE J'. BAUER, OF MADISONVILLE, OHIO,

ASSGNORS TO THE MOSLER LOCK COMPANY, OF COVNGTON, KENTUCKY, A COR- PORATION OF OHIO.

LOCK.

Application led .Tune 12, 1926. Serial No. 115,442.

rlhis invention relates to locks, and more particularly relates to locks especially suited for use on safety deposit lock boxes, and eto locks of the type which permits the customers key to be retained in a sea-led envelope from the time of shipment from the factory until the key is delivered to the customer.

In an application tiled in the name of Edgar M. Benham, January 2l, 1926, Serial No. 82,689, for improvements in locks, there is disclosed and claimed a lock of the general type referred to. ln said lock, the serial number for the customers key is marked on the rear of the nose of the bolt, and accord` ingly this serial number is readily ascertainable by the custodian and by others when the bolt is projected outward a slight distance, which is permissible, in order that the lock box could be shipped with the bolt bar projected far enough to hold the door against swinging open. This partial locking also prevent-ed the opening of an unengaged lock box by unauthorized persons.

The principal object of our invention is to improve upon the said prior construction, particularly in providing for the concealment of the serial number for the customers key until the time when it is desired to deliver the sealed key to the customer. A further object of this invention is to provide a lock which requires the use of the customers key to unlock the same after the serial num ber of the customers key has been ascertained. A further object of our invention is to provide a lock of the character described, which is simple, sturdy and durable in construction,`

and affords maximum protection and security against being disorganized or unlocked by an unauthorized person, or by means of unauthorized implements. Other objects of our invention will be in part 0bvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

in accorilance wi'h our invention, a plug secured in the master key tube, which can be revolved to operate the bolt cam, but the plug cannot be removed until this cam has been turned to such an extent that the bolt ba has been fully projected and the master tumblers upset. This plug has a stem concealed in the key tube. lOn the stem is marked the serial number of the customei"s key for that particular lock. The plug can- 'not set up the master tumblers and, there fore, the proper customers key corresponding to the serial number on the plug must be secured before the lock can be opened after the plug has been removed. The bolt bar is permitted a limited movement by means of the plug when it is supplied with a finger portion, or by means of a dummy key when the plug in a modified form is wholly submerged in the key tube, this movement permitting the unlocking of the lock and the projection of the bolt a sufficient distance to make fast the door on which the lock is mounted. Preferably, the lock is also provided with a guard key and guard mechal nism, whereby the manipulation of the proper guard key is required before the lock may be fully unlocked by means of either a plug with a finger portion, a dummy key, or by the customers key.

In order that a clearer understanding of our invention may be had, attention is nereby directed to the accompanying drawings, forming a partof this application and illus trating certain possible embodiments of our invention.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 is a top elevation of a. lock embodying our invention in a preferred form, the lock being` shown with the bolt partially projected, following the turning of the guard key and the turn ing of the plug provided with a finger portion; this shows the limit of movement permitted the bolt before its release for full outward projection; Fi 2 is a sectional view of a detail thereof, showing the plug seated in a portion of the master key tube, the view be-- ing tak-en on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. l, showing the bolt fully projected, following further turning of the plug, this additional projection being permitted only aft-er release of the bolt bar therefor; Fig. 4 is a rear elevation of the lock, showing the means which normallyr limit the projection of the bolt bar; Fig.. ,5 is a sectional view of the lock, showing thc bolt bar in its case; Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the lock fully projected by means of the plug, and is taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 3; Fig. is a rear elevation of a sealed envelope, showing in dash lines the customers key contained ther-ein.l the envelope being marked with the serial number ofthis key;

Fig. 8 is a top elevation of a lock of modition, instead of providing the plug with a linger portion 2O presented outside ot the lock, the plug 3G may be normally hidden entirely Within the key tube 8. Such modiiication is shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10 of the drawings. In this modication. the plug 30 has stein portion 3l, on the side ot which is marked the serial number` oit the customers key, as at 32. The plug also has a projection 33, which seats behind the shoulder 1S ot the cover plate nose.l iVith a plug ot this type, a special key 34 may be provided to turn the key tube 3 to reciprocate the bolt bar to the limited extent permitted when the screw 11i is in place, and to project the bolt bar ttully when this screw is removed. This key may be provided with a hook 35 at its end, which may be engaged under a hook 36 -formed in the outer end oi the plug, so that When the key tube 3 has been turned to place the bolt bar in fully locked position, the plug can be removed easily and conveniently from the key tube by means oi the key 34; otherwise, the operation is the same as described Yfor the preferred modification.

As many changes could be made in the above construction and as many apparently Widely different embodiments of this invention could be made Without departing trom the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpret-ed as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What ive claimis in a lock of the character described, in combination, a casing having a key tube rotan ile therein, temporary means preventing rotation ot the key tube into Jfull looking position, and a plug `disposed in the key tube and secured therein against rem-oval except When the key tube is in :full locking position.

2. In a lock ot the character described, in combination, a casing having a key tube rotatable therein, temporary means preventing rotation of the key tube into full locking position, and a plug disposed in the rey tube and secured therein against removal except when the key tube is in full looking position, said plug having a portion provided with a key-designating mark concealed Within the key tube.

3. In a lock ot the character described, in combination, a casing having a key tube rotatable therein, temporary means preventing rotation of the key tube into full lock- .--M position, and a plug disposed in the kej,r tube and secured therein against removal except when the key tube is in full lockingl position, said plug having a portion provided vvit-h a key-designating mark con- `cealed Within the key tube, said temporary means being adjustable t0 permit rotation of the key tube into full locking' position to permit removal ot the Vplugand the disclosure ot the key-designating mark thereon.

et. In a lock ot the character described, in combination, a casing having a key tube rotatable therein, temporary means preventing rotation of the key tube into full loc ing position, and a plug disposedin the tube and secured therein against rem-oval eacept When the key tube is in full locking position, said plug having a portion provided With a keydesignating mark concealed Within the key tube and seating in the key-Way ot the tube, and having a. :tinger portionoutside of the key tube .vhereby the key tube may be turned.

5. In a lock ot the character described, in combination, acasing having a ke y tube rotatable therein, temporary means preventing rotation of t-he key tube into ull lociing position, and aplug disposed in the key tube and secured therein against removal except when the key tube is in full locking position, said plug having a portion provided With a key-designating mark concealed Within the key tube, andalso provided With a bok-designating mark.

6. ln a look ot the character described, in combination, a casing having a key tube rotatable therein, temporary means preventing rotation of the key tube into full locking position, and a plug disposed in the key tube and secured therein against removal except when the key tube is in full loclazing position, said plug having a portion provided With a key-designating` mark concealed Within the key tube and having a perforation for a key ring, or the like.

7. In a lock of the character described, in combination, a casing having a key tube rotatable therein and having a nose presenting an inwardly directed lip about the key tube extending into the key-Way thereof', said lip having a slit in alignment with the key- Way `when the key tube lis in iull locking position, and a plug disposed in said key-Way and having a shoulder positioned beneath the lip of the casing nose, whereby the plug is retained in the key tube against removal therefrom except When the key tube is in full looking position.

8. In a lock of the character described, in combination, a casing having a key tube rotatable therein, temporary means preventing rotation of the key tube into Atull locking position, and a plug disposed in the key tube and secured therein against removal except when the key tube is in full locking position. said plug being entirely submerged in the key tube and provided with a key-designating mark concealed in the key tube.'

i 9. In. a lock ot' the character described, in combination, a casing having a key tube rotatable therein, temporary means preventing lilo lllr

rotation of the key tube into full locking position, a plug disposed in the key tube and secured therein against removal except When the key tube is in full locking position, said plug being entirely submerged in the key Y tube and provided With a key-designating mark concealed in the key tube, and a special key for rotating the key tube While said plug is submerged therein.

10. In a lock of the character described, in combination, a casing having a key tube rotatable therein, temporary means preventing` rotation of the key tube into [ull locking position, a plug disposed in the key tube and secured therein against removal except when the key tube is in full locking position, said plug being being entirely submerged in the key tube and provided With a key-designating mark concealed in the key tube, said plug having a hook at its outer end, and a special key insertable in said key tube and having a hook engageable beneath the hook of the plug, whereby the plug may be removed 'from the key tube when the key tube is in full locking` position.

Il. In a lock ot the character described, in combination, a casing having a key tube rotatable therein, temporary means prevent ing rotation oic the key tube into full locking position, a plug disposed in the key tube and secured therein against removal except when the key tube is in ull locking position, said plug being entirely submerged in the key tube and provided with a key-designating mark concealed in the key tube, said plug having a hook at its outer end, and a special key insertable in said key tube and having a 'hook engageable beneath the hook ot the plug, whereby the plug may be removed tro-1n the key tube When the key tube is in full locking position, said key having also a portion engageable in the keyavay oi the key tube While the plug is submerged therein, whereby the key tube may be ro tated.

l2. In a. lock of the character described, in combination, a casing, a bolt bar slidable in the casing, a rotatable key tube, a cam coacting with said key tube and bolt bar, whereby rotation of the `key tube reciprocates said bolt bar, temporary means preventing full projection of the bolt bar, whereby ro- 'tation et the key tube into full locking position is prevented, and a plug secured in said key tube against removal therefrom .except when the key tube is in full locking position.

13. In a lock ot Vthe character described, in combination, a easing, a bolt bar :slidable in the casing, a rotatable key tube, a cam coastingwith said key tube and bolt bar, Wherebyrotation ofthe key tube reciprocates said bolt bar, temporary means preventing full projection ot the 'bolt bar, -u'liereby rotation ot the key tube into full locking p osition is 4prevented, and 'a lplug secured l1n said key tube Vagainst removal therefrom except when the key tube is in full locking position, said plug carrying a key-designating mark concealed Within the key tube.

14. In a lock o1c the character described, in combination, a casing, a bolt bar slidable in the casing, a rotatable key tube, a cam coacting With said key tube and bolt bar, whereby rotation of the key tube reciprocates said bolt bar, temporary means preventing ull projection of the bolt bar, whereby rotation of the key tube into ull locking position is prevented, a plug secured in said key tube against removal therefrom except when the key tube is in i'ull locking position, said plug carrying a key-designa ing mark concealed Within the key tube, and

i Ouard tumbler domina-ting movement ot r1 the bolt bar.

l5. In a lock of the character described, in combination, a casing, a bolt bar slidable in the casing, a rotatable key tube, a cam coacting with said key tube and bolt bar, whereby rotation of the key tube reciprocates said bolt bar, temporary means preventing full projection of the bolt bar, whereby rotation of the key tube into full locking position is prevented, and a plug secured in said key tube against removal therefrom .except When the key tube is in full locking position, said plug carrying a key-designating mark concealed Within the key tube, said temporary means being adjustable to permit full projection of the bolt bar With accompany ing rotation of the key tube into full locking` position permitting removal ot the plug and the ascertainment ot the key-designating mark carried thereon.

16. In a. lock of the character described, in combination, a casing, a bolt bar slidable in lthe casing, a rotatable key tube, a cam coacting with said key tube and bolt bar, whereby rotation of the key tube reciprocates said bolt bar, temporary means preventing full projection oi the bolt bar, whereby rotation of the key tube into full locking` position is prevented, and a plug secured in said key tube against removal therefrom except when the key tube is in full locking position, said plug carrying a key-designating mark concealed Within the key tube, said temporary means being adjustable to permit tull projection of the vbolt bar with accompanying rota-tion of the key tube into full locking` position permitting re moval ot the plug and the ascertainment ot the key-designating niark carried thereon. and -a master tumblerdogging the lbolt bar when the bolt bar is fully projected and the l key tube rotated into position permitting removal ot the plug.

17. In a lock of the character described.- in combination, a casing, a bolt bar slidable in the casing, a rotatable key tube, a camc acting `with said key tube and kbolt bar,

llt)

whereby rotation of the key tube reciprocates said boltbar, temporary means preventing full projection of the bolt bar, whereby rotation of the key tube into full locking position is prevented, a plug secured in said key tube against removal therefrom except when the key tube is in full locking position, said plug carrying a key-designating mark concealed within the key tube, said temporary means being adjustable to permit full projection of the bolt bar with accompanying rotation of the key tube into full locking position permitting removal of the plug and the ascertainment of the key-designating mark carried thereon, and a master tumbler clogging the bolt bar when the bolt bar is fully projected and the key tube rotated into position permitting removal of the plug, said master tumbler being operable from said key tube and said plug blocking the .entrance of a key into said key tube, whereby the key for operating the master tumbler may not be placed in operative position in the key tube until said plug has been removed therefrom and the master tumbler upset.

18. In a lock of the character described, in combination, a easing, a bolt bar slidable in the casing, a rotatable key tube, a cam cof acting with said key tube and bolt bar,

whereby rotation of the key tube reciprocates said bolt bar, temporary means preventing full projection of the bolt bar, whereby rotation of the key tube into full locking position is prevented, a plug .secured in said key tube against removal therefrom except when the key tube is in full locking position, a master tumbler coacting with the bolt bar, and a guard tumbler coacting with the bolt bar, said temporary means permitting sutlicient projection of the bolt bar to release the guard tumbler and preventing suicient projection of the bolt bar to release the master tumbler.

19. In a lock of the character described., in combination, a casing, a bolt bar slidable in the casing, a rotatable key tube, a cam coacting with said key tube and bolt bar, whereby rotation of the key tube reciprocates said. bolt bar, temporary means preventing full projection of the bolt bar, whereby rotation of the key tube into full locking position is prevented, a plug secured in said key tube against removal therefrom except when the key tube is in full looking position, a master tumbler coacting with the bolt bar, and a guard tumbler coacting with the bolt bar, said temporary means permitting suiiieient projection of the bolt bar to release the guard tumbler and preventing suflicient projection of the bolt bar to release the master tumbler, said temporary means comprising a screw secured to the bolt bar for movement therewith and having a stop portion seated in ya slot in the lock casing.

This specification signed this 7th day of June, 1926.

EDGAR M. BENHAM. GEORGE J. BAUER. 

